EssentialTension

[quote name='Max Normal' timestamp='1336518458' post='1647061'] I hated GAK. The mail order concern is a dingy warehouse next to Quik Fit in Brighton. It's run by bored and unhelpful teenage girls. In my experience, they will advertise something as being in stock for next day delivery and then actually get it drop-shipped to you,which can take weeks. The shop in Brighton's lanes though, is excellent. Chris the Bass saleman is a really chilled, friendly and knowlegable chap (with some impressive face furniture), and they have a good range of basses, and amps just about anything notable except exotic stuff right off the peg. Gak, then is two completely different concerns and two completely different experiences. [/quote] I've had good service from GAK mail order as well as from the shop.

How about a US Lakland Decade

Perhaps we've had this before but I couldn't find it when searching so here we go. Chaotic, setting up own gear, Mal Evans helping Ringo move the rotating drum riser, but the band are very tight, it's all here: http://youtu.be/X9SuSR7icVc

I think we need to hear it.

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1336506394' post='1646683'] I always say that I've had everything from A to Z (except Alembic & Zon) [/quote] How about an A Bass: ... or, much better, a Zemaitis:

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1336499740' post='1646529'] Hello there, I am one week into fitting Blue Steels onto my G&L L2000. I thought it might just be my ears but I too have discovered the same problem. EAD absolutely fine, though the G sound insanely weak. It's like it has been cryogenically deactivated. Will be refitting the stock strings tonight. Geraint from Dean Markley, do you want me to send you them back? Thanks, Garry [/quote] If I was you I'd email him direct - he did give his address - and he may not be looking at this.

[quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1336459430' post='1645770'] Hi. As you can see, it is a Ric bridge, so has the same adjustable damping in it. [/quote] Ah. yes, of course it is. I hadn't quite put two and two together there.

I expect someone with more expertise than me will be along soon to explain it but all the sheet musics for the song seem to give the key signature as G#m (i.e. five sharps).

[quote name='benebass' timestamp='1336430341' post='1645633'] +1 - I tried this before buying one. Capo on the second fret & you're not far off the short scale of a Mustang bass or EB-3 [/quote] Yep, second fret is approx 30.3" scale whereas first fret is approx 32.1" scale.

... and the melody in the opening bar goes G# G# B G# B D# (i.e. G#m triad) while the bass holds an E note underneath.

I'd say G#m. Sheet music here: [url="http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/Product.aspx?ID_No=110677"]http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/Product.aspx?ID_No=110677[/url] Opening chord is given as Emaj7 which is same notes as G#m6 with an E in the bass (like a G#m/E). And where your tab says Abm it should say G#m.

There should more pics, including some close ups.

Take a 34" scale bass and tune it to Eb-Ab-Db-Gb. Put a capo on the first fret. You now have a very close to 32" scale bass tuned to E-A-D-G. It should give you a feel for what you are going to get. Of course the dot markers won't be in the usual places.

Poor sound but worth watching all to the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDfEILuJz5U

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1336413233' post='1645311'] 2min 40secs in - YES!!!! and keep watchin'n'listnin' right through. [/quote] Fantastic - all the stuff I've seen from that European tour is great. The Otis Live in London and Paris album is from those shows I think.

[quote name='louisthebass' timestamp='1336401063' post='1645016'] I've had great customer service from Bass Direct, Bass Gear, & The Gallery - you can't go wrong with those three. [/quote] I've had bad customer service from one of those - I won't name names, but you can go wrong - but it may have been for explainable reasons. Nonetheless, poor sevice.

I've worked in shops, although not music shops, myself. In my experience, a large proportion of customers were rude, impolite, impatient, self-centred and think that shop staff are robotic pieces of sh1t for the customer's preferred and immediate use. I know other shop workers who have had the very same experience. Over many years, I've always had good service at GAK in Brighton (except on one occasion a very long time ago when a member of their staff failed to relieve me of £400 cash in my pocket because he couldn't be bothered to stand up). I've also been well looked after at a wide variety of other music and non-music shops around the country.

[quote name='Graham56' timestamp='1336393279' post='1644836'] Just goes to show, whatever works is whatever works... [/quote] [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1336401525' post='1645034'] The first rule is, "There are no rules", closely followed by "If it sounds good then it is good". Everything after that is personal preference. [/quote] While none of that is untrue, it's worth remembering that standard techniques have become standard exactly because they worked - not that I have a very standard technique myself, I'm more like the Duck, except he's better.

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1336397292' post='1644934'] Can I recommend a good book for beginners and improvers alike: About the Double Bass by Peter Tyler. You will find it very useful to give you a good understanding of the bass and you will be more knowledgeable in your search. It will cost £20 but that will be a very good investment. Send Peter an email at www.tylerbasses.co.uk [/quote] I bought one of those last time you recommended it and now I can recommend it too.

I have a hybrid Thomann 22, same as Gareth's I suspect, and while I'm no DB expert it's seems to me to have been very good value for money. You will need new strings and a set-up.

No locker, no lunch time, no bass at work

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1336393980' post='1644846'] Righty-ho... I'm back from my soiree with the band, armed with a photo. It turns out that it's MIJ, not MIA, but still....! Apparently, the bar owner just likes guitars, and he's bought it partly as an investment, and partly because he likes the look of it. I have to agree... It's a stunner. [/quote] But did you make him an offer for it?

On a trade-in you'll probably get 50%-60% of the price you could sell for here. Besides which, keep the P bass.

[quote name='Panamonte' timestamp='1336386155' post='1644679'] It certainly is - a.k.a. The Head in a Bag! [/quote] a.k.a. The Doom and Gloom ... although much improved since Barry took it on.

Your bridge looks like a high-mass bridge that is fitted to the Squier Classic Vibes.